In June of 1954, four gentlemen gathered at the
Stuft Shirt Restaurant at 1000 East Green Street in Pasadena to discuss
the organization of the "Wine & Food Society of Pasadena". In
that a minimum of ten members was required to apply for a charter from
the London-based Wine and Food Society, six additional gentlemen were
recruited to become charter members.

Those ten founders included:

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Mr. James D. Reynolds, Chairman

-

Dr. Ellis W. Jones, Vice Chairman

-

Mr. Harrison Chandler, Treasurer

-

Mr. Robert W. Cheesewright

-

Mr. Thomas E. Gibbon

-

Mr. Morris W. Mothershead

-

Mr. Sheldon Riley

-

Mr. William B. Stringfellow, Jr*

-

Mr. Emerson Spear

*Mr. Stringfellow resigned and was replaced by
Mr. Robert Schlaudeman in July of 1954.

The minutes from that first meeting listed particular objectives
of the new Society, specifically

•

"Good fellowship"

•

"Appreciation for good food and
wine"

•

"Historical interest in gastronomy"

•

"Desire to try all types of cuisine
and cellar"

•

"A series of dinners throughout
the year incorporating the above"

Two months later, a second organizational meeting was held at the Stuft
Shirt Restaurant. Each charter member was requested to invite a few
good friends who enjoyed food, wine, and camaraderie to join the new
Society. It was determined that there would be four annual dinners,
a logo was designed , and annual dues of $50 per member were
assessed. ($10 was allotted to each dinner, to include both food and
wine). The minutes of the second meeting were closed by Mr. Goss, stating
"the meeting was adjourned in a gentlemanly fashion, sans stagger."
The first full membership dinner of the Wine and Food Society of Pasadena
was held at The Piccadilly Restaurant in Pasadena on 9 November 1954.
It was titled "An Italian Dinner accompanied by Inglenook Wines".
Now, as we move along in the 21st century, the Pasadena Wine & Food
Society anticipates many more opportunities for the best in wine, food
and fellowship.